Vijay Singh gets key ruling in lawsuit vs. PGA Tour

Tuesday

Feb 18, 2014 at 11:54 PM

Vijay Singh received a key ruling in his lawsuit against the PGA Tour when a judge allowed his complaint that he was treated differently from other players under the tour's anti-doping policy. Judge Eileen Bransten ruled Tuesday in New York State Supreme Court on the tour's motion to dismiss.

She ruled in favor of the PGA Tour on five elements, most of those dealing with Singh having to abide by tour regulations because he signed up to be a member. Bransten sided with Singh on his allegations that some players received different treatment. In the order, Singh claims the tour knew of players who used deer antler spray and did not attempt to punish them.

COLLEGES

QB backs first players' union

Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter testified Tuesday that he was essentially paid to play via his scholarship as the National Labor Relations Board opened a closely watched hearing on a bid to form what would be the first union for college athletes in U.S. history. From a witnesses stand in a federal court building, Colter characterized playing college football as a job and said schools make clear to incoming players that athletics are a higher priority than academics. Colter, a co-founder of the newly formed College Athletes Players Association, said players adhere to grueling schedules, putting in 40- to 50-hour weeks on football during and before the season. During August training, he said, players often start practice at 8 a.m. and finish at 10 p.m. ''It's a job, there is no way around it — it's a job,'' said Colter, a 21-year-old senior whose college career is over. Asked why Northwestern gave him a scholarship of $75,000 a year, he responded: ''To play football. To perform an athletic service.'' Later, he said players earn the money, in part, ''by sacrificing our bodies.'' Whether the players qualify under federal law as employees is the core question for the NLRB. If they are deemed employees, they would have rights to unionize. Whatever ruling the panel makes can be appealed.

Mississippi football players Denzel Nkemdiche and Robert Nkemdiche are being sued for $2 million after allegedly beating a man at a fraternity party last year. According to a complaint filed in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Friday, plantiff Matthew Baird claims Denzel Nkemdiche punched him from behind and knocked him unconscious. The complaint then says Robert Nkemdiche and five others, who were not named, began to kick and stomp Baird while he was on the ground. Baird's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The story was first reported by foxsports.com.

FOOTBALL

Gonzalez spells Marino, Sharpe

Goodbye, Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe. Hello, Tony Gonzalez. Marino and Sharpe will not return to their analyst roles on CBS' ''The NFL Today'' pregame show. Gonzalez, a recently retired star tight end, will now prep for a turn on the network's pro football coverage. CBS sports chairman Sean McManus said the move to part ways with Marino and Sharpe ''was really kind of a mutual decision'' and ''has nothing to do with any dissatisfaction in the ratings.'' McManus said he has no single metric by which he measures the success of the pregame show. ''It's very subjective,'' he said. ''Normally, if somebody's really doing a good job, there's a fairly overwhelming feeling that the person was a good hire, and the show is better than it was without him.''

Jennifer Welter certainly felt it when she became what is believed to be the first woman who wasn't a kicker or holder to play in a men's pro football game. The 5-foot-2, 130-pound resident of North Texas was thrown for a 1-yard loss on her first carry as a running back for the Texas Revolution in a preseason game in the 8-on-8 Indoor Football League on Saturday.